Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 63
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
कीर्त्योर्ध्वगीतया पुम्भिस्त्रैलोक्ये तत्र तत्र ह । प्रविष्ट: कर्णरन्ध्रेषु स्त्रीणां राम: सतामिव ॥ ६३ ॥
kīrtyordhva-gītayā pumbhis trailokye tatra tatra ha praviṣṭaḥ karṇa-randhreṣu strīṇāṁ rāmaḥ satām iva
ទូទាំងត្រៃលោក—លើ កណ្ដាល និងក្រោម—កេរ្តិ៍ឈ្មោះរបស់ ព្រឹថុ មហារាជ ត្រូវបានប្រកាសខ្លាំងៗ។ ស្ត្រី និងសន្តបុរស បានឮមហិមាដ៏ផ្អែមល្ហែមរបស់គាត់ តាមរយៈត្រចៀក ដូចមហិមារបស់ ព្រះរាមចន្ទ្រ។
In this verse the words strīṇām and rāmaḥ are significant. It is the practice amongst ladies to hear and enjoy the praises of certain heroes. From this verse it appears that Pṛthu Mahārāja’s reputation was so great that ladies all over the universe would hear of it with great pleasure. At the same time, his glories were heard all over the universe by the devotees, and they were as pleasing as Lord Rāmacandra’s glories. Lord Rāmacandra’s kingdom is still existing, and recently there was a political party in India named the Rāmarājya party, which wanted to establish a kingdom resembling the kingdom of Rāma. Unfortunately, modern politicians want the kingdom of Rāma without Rāma Himself. Although they have banished the idea of God consciousness, they still expect to establish the kingdom of Rāma. Such a proposal is rejected by devotees. Pṛthu Mahārāja’s reputation was heard by saintly persons because he exactly represented Lord Rāmacandra, the ideal king.
FAQs
This verse highlights that exalted glorification enters through the ear and influences the listener—just as the Lord’s name and fame naturally enter the ears (and hearts) of saintly devotees.
In the context of Pṛthu Mahārāja’s celebrated qualities, Śukadeva describes how widely his fame was sung; the comparison underscores the potency of hearing noble or divine glorification.
Choose what you regularly hear: prioritize hari-kīrtana, scripture recitation, and uplifting discourse, since repeated hearing shapes desire, character, and devotion.